Research shows one in seven Australian women keep smoking during pregnancy. Picture: Nicki Connolly

DEBATE on whether or not more needs to be done to stop women smoking while pregnant has raged on the Herald Sun Facebook page.

New data shows that one in seven Australian women still smoke during pregnancy, despite evidence it is putting the health of their baby at risk.

Many readers feel that it there should be more counselling and help provided for pregnant women who have the urge to light up, while others have defended the notion of it being the ultimately the mother’s choice.

“I am disgusted when I see pregnant women smoke. Think of your unborn and all the dangers that you are inflicting on that precious gift,” Natalie Lee said.

“While I agree that it is the mother's choice, perhaps not quite enough is being done to educate them of the risks. Perhaps research with imagery (fetal sonograms) showing how smoking effects fetal growth over time during pregnancy?’’ Chris Giddings suggested.

“They of course should make every effort to stop. But Smoking IS an addiction, and some can stop more easily than others. Not everyone can do it,’’ Andrew Couch said.

Other mums shared their experiences and many felt that it should not be up to the public to judge and enforce a ban on smoking while pregnant.

“I smoked with all my pregnancies and my gorgeous children are very healthy children. They never had any asthma or chest infections so why are we so against smokers? What about drinkers? We drive a car when pregnant and still drink and drive. Time to get off our case. What happened to Australia being a free country?” Tracy Ryan said.

“People need to keep their opinions to themselves. It’s a mother’s choice. She knows the risks,” Jessica Busuttil said.

“I'm one lucky mother who loves my kids though some have stated I should be jailed because I smoked with my pregnancies or have my kids taken off me because I smoked. I have never done hard drugs nor drank grog. I have two very healthy boys to prove it with no complications, no low birth weight nor repertory problems.” Joanne Braxton said.

New national maternity data shows pregnant women in public hospitals were four times more likely to report smoking, compared with private patients.

But in a positive shift, the overall smoking rate decreased between 2004 -2009, from 16.7 per cent to 14.5 per cent respectively.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report on maternity indicators also showed there are big geographical and socioeconomic differences.

For instance, 13 per cent of women in cities smoke, compared with 36 per cent who live in very remote areas.

Last month, Australian media personality Chrissie Swan was criticised after she confessed to smoking during her pregnancy.

Executive Director of Quit Victoria Fiona Sharkie said research showed about 40 per cent gave up when they found out they were pregnant, a phenomenon known as squitting: spontaneous quitting.

The remainder struggle to kick their addiction.

Ms Sharkie said women need to know that quitting was the best thing they can do for their own health, regardless of whether they were pregnant.

"We can be very judgmental of these people, but what we know is that they need a lot of support and encouragement to give up,'' Ms Sharkie said.

Victorian mother of three Jane Compton-Robins, who has been smoking intermittently for 22 years, gave up smoking during each of her pregnancies, but began again straight after the births.

"I gave up when I found out that I was pregnant because my husband wanted me to and I didn't want it to affect my kid's health.''

She doesn't smoke around her children, but she still plans to quit.

Smoking during pregnancy increases the chance of a pre-term birth, placental complication and perinatal death.

Tobacco smoke exposure also been linked to Sudden Infant death Syndrome (SIDS), childhood diabetes and obesity.

Your Fertility spokeswoman Louise Johnson said smoking can also affect the chances of getting pregnant and the time it takes to conceive.

"Many people don't realise that smoking affects fertility for both women and men and that passive smoking is almost as harmful to fertility as active smoking,'' she said.

It is estimated the negative effects of smoking on fertility are reversed about a year after quitting.

The AIHW report also shows caesarean sections have risen from 25.3 per cent in 2004 to 27.1 per cent in 2009.

ACT and NSW had the lowest rates and the highest were in Queensland and NSW.

Almost a third of all births in private hospitals were c-sections, compared to 22.6 per cent in private hospitals.

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